Buffs Beat

Julian Lewis Sends Transfer Portal Message Amid Colorado Mass Exodus

Quarterback Julian Lewis reaffirmed his commitment to the Colorado Buffaloes despite what looks to be a mass exodus from the program. Numerous key Buffs have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal in the past few days.
Harrison Simeon|
Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star.
Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

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Colorado Buffaloes

Given the recent flurry of transfers away from the Colorado Buffaloes, one could understand a check-up on quarterback Julian Lewis.

But Boulder's prodigal son isn't going anywhere, at least according to a social media post on Thursday. Heading into an offseason where coach Deion Sanders will have to once again rebuild the Buffs, Lewis will be around.

In the span of 24 hours, Lewis lost his perceived top receiving threat in Omarion Miller and a close friend throughout his recruiting process in offensive lineman Carde Smith. As one of the last remaining hopes for Colorado's future success, he must hope "Coach Prime" can construct a winner around him.

Julian Lewis Staying In Boulder

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) warms up prior to their game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan
Nov 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) warms up prior to their game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Lewis reaffirmed his commitment to Colorado in a post on X, sharing a photograph smile and an embrace of transfer portal season's craziness. It's the type of leadership Sanders brought him in for and loyalty the Buffaloes require to not fall off the rails entirely for 2026 and beyond.

"Ju Ju" was the highest-rated prospect of Colorado's 2025 recruiting class, a talent almost every school in the nation had its eyes on. Initially pledged to USC, Sanders worked closely with the native of Carrollton, Georgia, to flip his commitment in November 2024.

Lewis started two games and appeared in four for the Buffaloes as a true freshman. He flashed elite capabilities, completing 63 percent of his passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns against West Virginia in his first start.

His play wasn't an issue, but his on-field teammates struggled mightily. The Buffs went 3-9 this past fall, and understandably, several of their stars have chosen not to return.

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) scrambles in the first quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folso
Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10) scrambles in the first quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

On Wednesday, Miller and safety Tawfiq Byard entered the portal. Miller was the offense's most productive player, catching three of Lewis's four touchdown passes and ranking fifth in the Big 12 with 808 yards.

Byard was easily the brightest spot on a murky defense, emerging as one of the lone sources of leadership on a unit that flatlined in 2025. Another promising defender, lineman Brandon Davis-Swain, entered the portal on Thursday.

Smith was quick to join him. He was the third-highest-ranked member of Colorado's 2025 class, a four-star recruit from Mobile, Alabama. However, he didn't see the field besides on special teams this past season.

MORE: Colorado Gets Hit With Biggest Transfer Portal Loss Yet

MORE: Michael Irvin Gets Real On Blame Surrounding Shedeur Sanders

MORE: Deion Sanders Faces Recruiting Problem After Omarion Miller Transfer News

Brennan Marion To Build Offense Around Julian Lewis

Sacramento State Hornets head coach Brennan Marion listens to one of the assistant coaches yell at players on Saturday, Aug.
Sacramento State Hornets head coach Brennan Marion listens to one of the assistant coaches yell at players on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota. | Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

While Miller and Smith are sharp hits to Colorado's future, new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion is ready to face the challenge of roster-building. The former Sacramento State coach is likely to bring in a plethora of names from his old school and others who fit his heralded "Go-Go" scheme.

A returner who could be well-positioned for this adjustment is wide receiver Joseph Williams. The sophomore was quick to repost Lewis's tweet while adding a message of his own that affirms his loyalty to Boulder.

Williams was second in most receiving categories this past season, racking up 37 catches for 489 yards and four touchdowns. The former Tulsa Golden Hurricane transfer is poised to take the X receiver spot that Miller left, and his speedy skillset could thrive in Marion's system and help from Lewis.

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Harrison Simeon
HARRISON SIMEON

Harrison Simeon is a beat writer for Colorado Buffaloes On SI. Formerly, he wrote for Colorado Buffaloes Wire of the USA TODAY Sports network and has interned with the Daily Camera and Crescent City Sports. At the University of Colorado Boulder, he studies journalism and has passionately covered school athletics as President and Editor-In-Chief of its student sports media organization, Sko Buffs Sports. He is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana.

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